Boerboel puppies

About the Boerboel

The Boerboel is a South African farm mastiff, built from local dogs crossed with imported European mastiff and bulldog types to guard homesteads and livestock in open country. This is a giant, heavily muscled breed of 56 to 69cm and 68 to 90.7kg, with a short dense coat and a broad, blocky head. Their character is confident and territorial, calm and affectionate with their own family, and unambiguous about the boundary of their property. They are rated poorly for tolerance of other pets.

Daily exercise is essential, long walks on the lead or play in a secure fenced area, along with mental work and time with their people. Dog parks are a bad idea and off lead freedom is not appropriate given the protective instinct. Grooming is simple, a weekly brush and the occasional bath. The critical piece is training and socialisation from puppyhood, handled by someone experienced, because a dog of this size and drive cannot be managed by force once they are grown.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Boerboel puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A giant breed puppy at eight weeks is already heavy and will keep growing for up to two years. Controlled growth matters more here than in any other size class, so a large breed specific puppy food and no overfeeding. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia, screened by hip and elbow evaluation of breeding stock
• Heart disease, screened by a cardiac exam on breeding stock
• Ectropion and entropion, eyelids that roll outward or inward, found on a veterinary eye exam and often needing surgery
• Bloat and gastric torsion, a surgical emergency in large deep chested dogs

Your Boerboel puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Giant for a Boerboel.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 68 to 90.7 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 48 inch (48 x 30 x 32 in, 122 x 76 x 81 cm) for an adult of up to 90.7 kg, the largest size in the chart, which tops out at 49.9 kg, so measure the dog before you buy; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Do slow feeder bowls work? Choosing one for a puppy that gulps
• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other giant breeds

More on the Boerboel

Previous: Bluetick Coonhound · Next: Bohemian Shepherd

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type, country of origin and health notes
• Health notes from Boerboel breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boerboel/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Caronna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.